Caring for

your pets

a highly skilled team with the latest equipment and a friendly service

We've been looking after animals in the area for longer than anyone can remember.
We believe that your pets deserve to receive the best treatment available, from vets they know and can rely on...
night and day, all year round.

FAQs

Pet Passports

All of our vets are qualified as 'official veterinarians' to examine and certify pets for travel. The majority of this is now covered by the Pet Travel Scheme although occasionally you will have to apply for, and go through a series of steps to qualify for, an export health certificate.

We will be happy to offer advice on how and when these procedures need to be carried out.

My pet is booked in for an operation - what do I need to do?

Starving/ taking away their food

Dogs and Cats- On the evening before an operation dogs and cats should eat a normal meal, but have any remaining food taken away by 10pm. This is to reduce the risk of complications related to vomiting under anaesthetic. Fresh water should be available overnight and taken away by 7.30am on the morning of admission.

Cats should be kept indoors the night before admission to avoid 'going walkabout' and possibly also eating elsewhere.

Small Mammals- Unlike cats and dogs, small mammals must NOT be starved prior to surgery as they are unable to vomit and their metabolism and bowel function differs significantly from that of a dog or cat. We will encourage your pet to eat as soon as possible after he or she has recovered from the anaesthetic. This is best achieved with a diet that is familiar to your pet. Please bring along a small quantity of their food or greens normally fed, in a small, labelled container. It is also useful to bring along their usual preference of a drinking bottle or bowl so that they can drink soon after recovering from surgery also

On the morning of the operation

Take away the water bowl first thing in the morning as above

If possible, dogs should be taken out for a short walk in the morning to allow them to empty their bowels / bladder, so they'll be more comfortable for the day.

When you drop your pet off at the surgery for their operation, a vet or nurse will go through the planned procedures with you and ask you to sign a consent form. Make sure you read this form carefully and check exactly what you are consenting to as this is a legal form that gives the vet permission to carry out a surgical or other procedure on your pet. The form must be signed by the owner or an agent acting on the owner’s behalf, who must be over the age of eighteen.

Once you’ve said your goodbyes to your pet, they will be taken through to our dog or cat ward areas and made comfortable.We are happy for you to leave a favourite toy or blanket with your pet to reassure them in a strange environment.

Pre-medication, blood tests, and intraveinous fluids

You may want to consider your pet having a pre-operative blood profile performed immediately prior to surgery, to establish any underlying conditions that may affect our choice of anaesthetic. We recommend this particularly for pets over 8 years of age who are at a higher risk of suffering from some loss of kidney or liver function. There is an extra charge for this service.

Many pets are put onto a 'drip' for surgery, especially older or debilitated pets- this helps to support their circulation and blood pressure during a procedure, as well as making it easy for them to receive additional intraveinous medicines if required during their operation.

The next step is the pre-medication process. A pre-med is an injection given usually around half an hour before surgery which partially sedates the animal and also usually provides pain relief

Occasionally antibiotics are also used.

These injections are very quick and painless, and once administered the animal will start to feel drowsy and relaxed, which helps to make the rest of the procedure that much less stressful for them.

Please discuss the need for a drip or blood tests with one of our vets if you are uncertain on these points.

PLEASE REMEMBER We will require a contact number where we can contact you at any point during the day, or if this is impossible, an agent who can act on your behalf. We ask for this number so that we can discuss any treatment your pet might need, or to get your permission to carry out other procedures whilst your pet is with us, or just to let you know how they are!

After the operation or procedure

One of our veterinary surgeons or nurses will contact you during the afternoon with a progress report and at what time your pet will be ready for collection.

After a general anaesthetic your pet may be drowsy and we advise you to collect them by car or some other means of transport.

When you collect your pet from the surgery a vet or nurse will go through what has been done, all the after care, and any treatment plans. We will let you have a post operative care sheet to take home which will help remind you of these points.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask, that's what we are here for!

Finally, don’t worry......They are in good hands.

A BIT ABOUT US

Wood Street Vetinary Hospital is one of the longest established practices in the South East, and one of only a handful of Approved Veterinary Hospitals in the London area. We have a highly dedicated and skilled team to look after all of your pets' needs. Staff members are on the premises 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to look after our patients. We provide an emergency service so that there is always a vet and nurse available. wsv